The Generation Meet blog is place for meeting professionals to stay current with job opportunities, professional development and information on upcoming industry events.

5 Resources To Use To be An Outstanding Emerging Professional

Every professional should always be looking for tools, tips and tricks to further their career. Emerging professionals and students don’t have to look far for these resources when it comes to the PCMA Capital Chapter. Our chapter boasts tried and true programs that will further careers, open minds and provide assistance for the road ahead. Here are just a few of the many amazing resources and tips that today’s students and emerging professionals can take advantage of:

This resource is available to everyone! This is a one-stop-shop for all things emerging professional. The blog has Job and internship notices are posted regularly, profiles on today’s industry leaders, insight on interviewing, articles that young professionals can relate to and much more! You can even sign up for email alerts for when new content like jobs, internships and profiles are posted! It’s free, easy and very informative!

The Mentorship Program is a program that pairs emerging professionals/students to an establish/seasoned professional who can help answer career and industry questions. It is a formal arrangement where both sides of the pair take a brief survey about what they are looking for in a mentor/protégé and then the PCMA program champion reviews the submissions and creates the pairing. The program is designed to create a lasting relationship between the pair and continue to foster communication between today’s current leaders and tomorrows. To sign up to become a mentor or protégé, visit the GenerationMeet Blog and click on the mentorship tab.

3.) Shadowing Program **

While this program is set to be unveiled in 2016, it is definitely worth mentioning! The PCMA Shadowing program is a resource to assist students and emerging professionals obtain targeted real-world experience through structured “shadowing” opportunities within in the meetings & events industry. Opportunities will be made available through the extensive PCMA membership made up by planners, service vendors, CVB institutions and hotels. The program’s main purpose is to connect students and emerging professionals with opportunities in the industry that will further their understanding of the day to day operations of the membership as a whole while developing skills that can be applied in school or towards their first full time position in the industry. Be on the lookout for more information as this exciting program rolls out!

Capital classrooms are carefully created with the emerging professional in mind and are offered on a quarterly basis. The classrooms cover trending topics and professional development specifically tailored for emerging professionals by either industry peers or emerging professionals themselves. To see the schedule of upcoming Capital chapter events visit the website listed above.

The last resource that I wanted to share to our emerging professionals are all of the awesome PCMA Capital Chapter Committees. The best way to connect with fellow hospitality folks is to volunteer and get out there! The Capital Chapter has eight committees that vary from Community service to Government Relations/Advocacy! There is something for everyone’s level of interest and time. Here is the full list of committees:

Communications

Community Service

Emerging Professionals

Government Relations and Advocacy Task Force

Marketing

Membership

Professional Development

Sponsorship

I challenge you to research these committees by visiting, the link above to see committee descriptions and to get involved today!

**These programs are brought to you by the PCMA Capital Chapter Emerging Professional Committee. For more information regarding all of these tips, feel free to email Samantha Moore.